In the current financial climate, many of us know someone who is unemployed—a friend, a family member, a now-former co-worker.

As we move towards the Holy month of Ramadan, the time when many of us choose to pay Zakat, it is the perfect time to consider the impact that your Zakat can have on your brothers and sisters around the world.

The vast majority of us have been unemployed at some point during our lives. Being unemployed can be a difficult and stressful time, and, until you get back on your feet again, the chances are that you will be worried and concerned about the future – for your family as well as yourself.

Just take a minute to think about how much worse that concern would be if you were unemployed and living in a developing country. In many parts of the world, there are no state benefits for the unemployed, and no support network to help those stuck in the cycle of poverty. This means that if you are unemployed, you will have no income until the time when you are able to get another job – if you can.

Mohammad Qadri Hussain’s Story

Mohammad Qadri Hussain, from Lahore, Pakistan, took out a large loan to finance the marriage of his three daughters. Qadri had no job and was struggling to pay back his debts – slipping further and further into poverty. His two sons had no choice but to leave school.

When Qadri sought help from the team here at Al Mustafa Welfare Trust, our staff in Lahore knew that he was much too old for employment. The job market in the area is incredibly competitive and many young people are out of work. In a climate like this, who would give Qadri work?

Despite this, we were adamant that we would help Qadri and his family get back on their feet. Thanks to the kind support of one of our generous donors, we were able to help him establish a small shop where he could sell basic food items.

Qadri worked hard to ensure his shop was a success. It wasn’t long before he managed to fully pay off his debt and even started earning enough money to be able to hire two employees.

“I have dreamed that I would run my own business,” says Qadri. “Now this dream is a reality, and I can send my sons back to school again.”

The Impact Your Zakat Can Have

When you pay Zakat, not only are you following the wishes of Allah (SWT), but you are also helping to support your brothers and sisters in need across the world.

Paying Zakat is obligatory upon all eligible Muslims whose total annual wealth meets or exceeds the nisab value.

Although paying Zakat is an obligation, it is also one of the five Pillars of Islam, and, as such, it should be considered a blessing. If you are eligible to pay Zakat, you have been blessed with good fortune, and the ability to be in a position where you can help out your disadvantaged brothers and sisters. After all, our material possessions belong to Allah (SWT) and we cannot take them with us in the Hereafter, so it is our duty to share our good fortune as best we can.

This Ramadan, your Zakat has the potential to help out many more people like Mohammad Qadri Hussain in their time of need. The cycle of poverty can be devastating, and without our help, many of these people would have no chance to build a better, brighter future for themselves and their families.

Please consider donating your Zakat with Al Mustafa Welfare Trust this Ramadan and do what you can to free your brothers and sisters from the cycle of poverty.